Peaceful path |
WHAT have peaceful democracy protests achieved in our long autocratic history? A look at those against Gen Ayub, Zia and Musharraf, and the murkier 1977 protests, offers clues.
Political and economic exclusion and repression fuel protests. A shocking abuse, disputed polls, power grab or economic pain often provides the spark. Movement traits (coalition size, muscle, leadership and tactics) and context (urban density, external aid etc.) provide circuitry for the fire to spread. Regime cohesion, repression and foreign help provide the fire brigade. But even if they win a battle, they may lose the war if allies lack the strength and a democratic agenda.
Exclusion and repression fuelled all four. Economic pain added fuel in 1969 and 1977. Three targeted outright autocrats; the 1977 a more legitimate civilian. A student’s killing under Ayub Khan, poll disputes under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf’s firing of the chief justice were sparks. The 1983 protest lacked a clear spark, so it stoked a smaller fire despite the fact that repression was at its peak. Context decided no one’s fate, ties with the US were strained under Bhutto in 1977 and strong under Zia in 1983.
Movement traits varied. All were coalitions with........